Prison inmates earn Ball State diplomas

June 16, 2007

PENDLETON, Ind. (AP) - More than 100 inmates at the Pendleton Correctional Industrial Facility earned associate's and bachelor's degrees this year from Ball State University. Proud family members and friends watched as the inmates received their diplomas during a graduation ceremony held in the prison's visitation room Friday. "It opened my eyes to a lot of things I didn't realize," said Bobby Cliett, 43, who received his bachelor's degree in general studies with a minor in history and theology. "I really think it's going to open a lot of doors for me." Ball State University sends professors to the prison to teach inmates using the same books and same standards as on campus. The program has been around for about three decades, and Friday was the third graduation for Pendleton inmates. "I think any time you can give offenders an opportunity to improve themselves, and give them the skills you and I take for granted, it makes them less likely to re-offend," said Ken Moss, assistant superintendent of offender programs. The inmates are not allowed to keep their diplomas with them, so some gave them to family members and others planned to mail them to friends. Several graduates earned university honors, including Antario Mercery, who graduated cum laude and gave a speech to his classmates. "No longer are we a threat to society, but the security of the society to where we'll return," Mercery said. "This isn't just graduation; it's giving (an education) to the men the world thinks are nothing." Sylvia Moore said she was proud of her son, Shane Jones, for earning his bachelor's degree. "Shane was always good in school, but he got in with the wrong crowd and didn't get to finish high school," she said. Jones said he applied himself to earn the diploma. "You've got to want the change," Jones said. "Once you've got that anything is possible."